My Hands Are Full, But So Is My Heart

It's official!  

The boys and I have made it through our first full week of summer together, and though it seemed like the longest week ever, it couldn't have been better!  

You see, the boys like to keep busy, so on most days we are here and there and everywhere in-between.  It's rare that a day ever passes when we don't get out, and when we do, we always meet lots of sweet people who stop us on our excursions.  Whenever we meet someone new, there are usually two questions that I get asked, and they always come in the exact same order.

Are they twins?  

Followed by. . .

Wow!  I bet you have your hands full, right?

And of course, my answer to both of those questions is always yes!  Even on the easiest of days, my hands are full.  Jack and Rowan are two spunky, going on three-year-olds, and they're the only reason I can still eat sweets and not gain weight.      

In the past week, we've gone to the park four times, met sweet friends for lunch, had our first restaurant experience with just the three of us, watched a magic show at the library, used up all of our sidewalk chalk, rode our bikes, adventured to Walmart several times, picked out toys at the dollar store, and splashed in our kiddie pool (again...and again....and again).  

And of course, all of these events involve lots of running and lifting and long, drawn out breaths.  As with any child, nothing is ever as easy as it seems, even if it does all magically work out in the end.  Reflecting back over this week, I can't help but think about our trip to the library, and how I was a tad stressed because we were running late.  When we finally arrived, we were greeted with a full parking lot, and the boys immediately burst into tears because they thought we wouldn't be able to park the car.  So, Mommy made the decision to make her own parking space, because come tickets or towed vans, her boys were going to see that magic show.  We ended up squeezing into the packed room just in time, and the boys sat for an amazing forty-five minutes to watch tricks that they really didn't understand, but enjoyed clapping for anyway.  When we finally snuck out a few minutes early, we were relieved to find my van still there, waiting on us to come rescue her from her illegal escapades.

Or there was that time on Friday when I cut my eye, and we all took off to the eye doctor so he could fix me up.  So there we were, me, Jack, and Rowan, all stuffed into the little exam room while my understanding doctor took a look at my eye.  Thankfully I still have my massive stroller, and the boys sat nicely in their seats and asked random questions while the doctor tried to concentrate.  

"Is that man your friend, Mommy?"

"Mommy, what's that man doing to your eyeball?"

"Mommy, what's that doctor's name?"

"It's dark in here, Mommy.  I can't see.  Can you see, Mommy?"  

"Hey Mommy, I got your keys out of your purse (giggle, giggle)."

"Uh-oh (giggle, giggle), I deleted a picture on your phone, Mommy."

When we were finished, my doctor smiled, patted me on the shoulder, and told me I have lots of patience.  And then he asked, "Are they twins?"  

But maybe the moments that I remember the most are the usual, mundane ones that happen right here at home.  Like those times when I'm having a serious conversation with one of my boys about not doing who knows what, only to look over his shoulder to find his brother sporting a wild grin and doing exactly what I've just asked said boy not to do.   (Insert long, drawn out breath----->here)

Yes, there are times when the days seem long, and I know I'd be lying if I said every second of our day is perfect.  But when I tuck them in at night, and I think back on all of the crazy things we accomplished, I can't help but smile.  It also helps that Rowan ends every day and begins every morning by saying, "It's a good day, Momma."  

Yes, I know I am tired, but more importantly, I know I am blessed.  

So, when we went to the dollar store late last week, and a nice older man came up to us as we held hands and crossed the parking lot, I already knew what he was going to say.  In fact, I smiled and looked forward to it.  

"Well, would you look at that," he said.  "Are they twins?"

"They sure are.  Two years old.  Jack and Rowan."

"Whew!  I bet your hands are full."

And so I said what I'll say every time from now on:

"My hands are full, but so is my heart."